Skeptics who attributed the success of Sheryl Crow's 1994 debut, Tuesday Night Music Club, to a combination of Crow's seductive good looks and a shrewd choice of collaborators have been effectively silenced by the range an... more &raquod depth of songs and performances on her self-produced, pointedly self-titled sequel. Playing guitars and keyboards, and building a triumphant, layered vocal style, Crow is tough as nails and drolly soulful on the deft "Change," as noteworthy for Crow's crafty lyrics ("Hello, it's me, I'm not at home/ If you'd like to reach me, leave me alone...") as for its solid, midtempo groove. "Maybe Angels," "If It Makes You Happy," and "Everyday Is a Winding Road" are only the most familiar highlights in a varied and absorbing set that argues Crow is no one's invention but her own. --Sam Sutherland&laquo less

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Skeptics who attributed the success of Sheryl Crow's 1994 debut, Tuesday Night Music Club, to a combination of Crow's seductive good looks and a shrewd choice of collaborators have been effectively silenced by the range and depth of songs and performances on her self-produced, pointedly self-titled sequel. Playing guitars and keyboards, and building a triumphant, layered vocal style, Crow is tough as nails and drolly soulful on the deft "Change," as noteworthy for Crow's crafty lyrics ("Hello, it's me, I'm not at home/ If you'd like to reach me, leave me alone...") as for its solid, midtempo groove. "Maybe Angels," "If It Makes You Happy," and "Everyday Is a Winding Road" are only the most familiar highlights in a varied and absorbing set that argues Crow is no one's invention but her own. --Sam Sutherland

CD Reviews

An artistic highpoint

Oasis Productions Limited | Cobourg, ON Can | 01/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Her second album is often relegated to the dump bins of used record stores. This does not reflect this album's musical merit or its longevity as an artistic highpoint in her career. Here are some of Sheryl Crow's rawest, best musical expressions - think the "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" album. Most know "Every Day Is A Winding Road" and "If It Makes You Happy" but it's the tracks like "Oh Marie" and the very Beatles-esque "Home" (with very Harrison-ish guitar) that are the real gems. In my opinion, she has yet to match this release for consistently 'great' tracks throughout."

Still her best.

W. Boon | Dublin | 06/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me this is still Sheryl's best album. It has a more rough, honest, edge to it. Something that started to disappear a bit in later albums as she became more successful. All tracks are great with the album best listened to in it's entirety from start to finish for full effect. It's hard to believe this came after TNMC since it comes across as more of a 'first album'."

Not an immediately appealing work

Pieter | Johannesburg | 06/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is not an album with immediate appeal so it takes a while to reveal its depth. Mostly mainstream rock of the mid-tempo variety embellished with other influences, the music is very 1990s whilst the lyrics are full of references to pop culture, sometimes witty, always clever. The album opens with the heavy rock track Maybe Angels, which is followed by the catchy pop-rock of A Change Will Do You Good which was a huge hit.

The lovely tender Home is a folky interlude, Sweet Rosalyn is a tuneful rock ballad and If It Makes You Happy a powerful anthemic song where her voice really soars. One of the more profound songs is titled Redemption Day, a soft rock ballad with poignant lyrics. The gritty guitar and gripping rock riff of Hard To Make A Stand make this song stand out, but the most melodious number is the memorable Everyday Is A Winding Road with its singalong chorus.

The Book is slow and introspective whilst Ordinary Morning has a complex arrangement with jazzy lounge and rock sections. On first impression, the album may sound a bit monotonous and plodding overall but repeated listens will reveal some truly great songs. Just one lilting uptempo rocker would have raised the album to 5 star status!"

Eating Crow

Nathan Beauchamp | Oak Park, IL USA | 02/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Crow's self titled second album is still her finest, the album that demonstrated to the world that she is more than a good collaborator. She is a fine artist, a good song writer, and has a stirring, evocative voice. "A Change Would Do You Good," is one of her greatest songs, capturing the malaise of midlife perfectly. "If It Makes You Happy," is haunting in the same way as U2's "Sad," even if it is sung with the sort of folksian charm that Crow is known for. "Everyday Is A Winding Road," her number one radio hit, is the soul of the album with whimsical lyrics and pop hooks that can and will keep the song stuck in your mind for days.

One of the most important albums of 90s, and proof positive that those who knocked Crow's first album were dead wrong, this is a CD that is still well worth buying more than a decade later. 5/5 Stars."